Is the Dual-Stage 4 Grid Ion Drive the Key to Faster Space Travel?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Dual-Stage 4 Grid (DS4G) ion drive technology and its potential implications for faster space travel. Participants explore the scientific validity of this technology, its feasibility for long-distance travel, and the lack of media coverage surrounding it. The conversation touches on engineering aspects related to space flight and the challenges of human space travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the scientific validity of the DS4G technology, noting the absence of media coverage and asking if it will work.
  • Another participant argues that while the DS4G has been demonstrated, it requires further testing, such as delivering a payload to Mars orbit or Jupiter, and highlights the complexities of round trips in space travel.
  • A participant mentions calculations indicating that the DS4G could potentially reduce travel times to Mars and Titan significantly, suggesting a three-week journey to Mars and seven months to Titan.
  • There is a discussion about whether the topic fits better in an engineering context rather than astronomy, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the forum's categorization.
  • Mentors remind participants that peer review is not conducted on new work within the forum and emphasize the importance of publishing in peer-reviewed journals before discussing new ideas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the scientific validity and feasibility of the DS4G technology. While some acknowledge its demonstration, others emphasize the need for further evidence and testing. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall potential and acceptance of the technology.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of consensus on the feasibility of the DS4G technology, the need for further demonstration, and the complexities involved in human space travel, particularly regarding long-duration missions.

darkdave3000
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TL;DR
Is it scientific?
My post was removed originally about a designed based on this new engine. I don't know what specific forum rule I broke, I read the entire thing. But I am posting a new threat to ask about the validity of this specific technology. I am asking because there seems to be zero media coverage of it and no youtube videos about it either. Is it scientific? Will it work?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-Stage_4-Grid
https://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/doc/PRO/ACT-RPR-PRO-IAC2006-DS4G-C4.4.7.pdf

Based on the numbers in wikipedia our long distance travel times have been solved. We can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time quoted by conventional engines now.

So my question is, what am I missing here? Is it just underated by coincidence?
 
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darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

Is it scientific? Will it work?
darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

Based on the numbers in wikipedia our long distance travel times have been solved. We can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time quoted by conventional engines now.
Based on numbers in Wikipedia doesn't prove/demonstrate anything in terms of feasibility or viability, nor does it prove/demonstrate that 'we can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time'.

DS4G has been demonstrated. There are plenty of references. It would still need demonstration, e.g., delivering a payload to Mars orbit, and Jupiter. I would recommend sending unmanned craft to say Jupiter and Saturn, which could still take years - and then what. A round trip is way more complicated than one-way, and I'm not sure how many folks are ready for a decades-long trip. Deterioration of the human body would be significant. Up to now, NASA has used gravity assist to get spacecraft far out to Jupiter, Saturn and the outer planets.

This is an aerospace engineering topic, not an astronomy/astrophysics topic.
 
Do you want me to move this to an engineering part of the forum then? I thought it's astronomy because it's about space flight.

Well in my original thread that got deleted I did all the specific impulse and one way two way trip numbers. It showed that based on the performance numbers it can get us to Mars in 3 weeks and Titan in 7 months.

[Link deleted by the Mentors]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thread closed for Moderation...
 
darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

My post was removed originally about a designed based on this new engine. I don't know what specific forum rule I broke
This was not a good start to that previous thread of yours:
I would like to invite you to peer review my idea.

We do not conduct peer review here at PF on new work, and especially on new work that you want to publish at your own website.

The Mentors will review this new thread of yours to see if it can continue in some form. Give us a bit of time...
 
Update -- please be sure to publish your ideas in acceptable peer-reviewed journals before trying to discuss them here. Thank you, this thread is done.
 

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